December 15, 2007

Trustees OK 2008 rate plan for Purdue Residences

Students living in West Lafayette university housing next fall will pay an average of 5.93 percent more than in 2007-08. The benchmark annual room rate will be $3,410, an increase of $162. Students can choose from among five meal plan options, including a new 12-meals-per-week plan, ranging from $4,018 to $4,970. Rates for Purdue Village, where residents are not required to participate in university meal plans, will increase by about 3.8 percent.

At Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, rent for apartments in IPFW student housing will increase an average of 5 percent. Rates per person for the full academic year at Fort Wayne will range from $4,710 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment to $7,220 in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.

At Purdue University Calumet, rates will increase an average of 4.9 percent. The per person rate for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom suite will be $4,480, an increase of $210.

"The rates established on the various campuses will help us keep pace with inflation while also continuing our commitment to increasing the quality of housing and dining on campus," said Morgan R. Olsen, executive vice president and treasurer.

The new rate at West Lafayette will cover increased operational costs, including food, utilities, and staff wages and benefits, said John Sautter, vice president for housing and food services. The increase also includes a 2 percent surcharge to fund improvements that are part of a multiyear facilities master plan for the self-supporting University Residences system.

Since the master plan was adopted in 2000, $119.4 million in projects have been completed, including extensive renovations to Cary Quadrangle, new quick-serve restaurants at Cary Quadrangle and Harrison Hall, and three new state-of the-art dining courts.

In-room air conditioning is now available to nearly half of the West Lafayette campus residents, and air conditioning will be installed in another 2,000 student spaces. Installation of modern fire sprinkling systems continues campuswide. Also, Wiley Dining Court will open next fall, a new residence hall will open in the fall of 2009 and renovations to Windsor Halls will be completed in 2012. University Residences plans to spend $8 million annually on renovations and repairs that include reroofing buildings, repairing showers, and replacing water softeners and student room furniture.

Purdue's university residence program, which houses nearly 11,600 students on campus, is the largest system in the United States where all students voluntarily choose to live on campus.

"University Residences is succeeding in an era when students have high expectations and plenty of housing options," said Barbara Frazee, executive director of University Residences. "Earlier this decade, the average residential space was more than 40 years old, most lacked air conditioning and few could be easily reconfigured to contemporary housing styles."

Frazee said the system continues to thrive because it offers a package that includes furnished rooms that include utilities, telephone service, cable TV and high-speed Internet. Flexible meal plans are available 18 hours a day. Beginning in the fall of 2008, a portion of students' dining dollars will be usable in the Purdue Memorial Union and various campus satellite food operations.

"We offer housing options that are conveniently located to fully immerse students in all facets of college life," Frazee said. "We also create a community that includes supportive social networks and opportunities to develop leadership skills."

University Residences offers an array of student-focused services, including recreational and educational activities and the opportunity to join and live in learning communities composed of students pursuing the same educational majors. In addition, trained staff members are available 24 hours a day to offer counseling and mediation services, access to buildings is monitored, and security policies are enforced to help ensure student safety, she said.

"On-campus housing is central to the collegiate experience and remains a vital tool in recruiting and retaining students while helping them succeed socially and academically," Sautter said. "Funding the master plan helps us provide high-value housing and top-quality dining that augments campus life."

Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu

Sources: John A. Sautter, (765) 494-1022, jasautter@purdue.edu

Barbara Frazee, (765) 494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu

Morgan R. Olsen, (765) 494-9705, mrolsen@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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